The Rose Garden

Blossoms of Memory: The Bagatelle Rose Garden Series

In the heart of Paris, nestled between the storied streets of Levallois-Perret and my birthplace of Boulogne-Billancourt, lies the enchanting expanse of Bois de Boulogne. At its northwest corner, like a hidden gem waiting to be rediscovered, is the magical Bagatelle Park. In the tender years of my youth, my mother introduced me to this verdant sanctuary, where the rose garden, a vibrant tapestry of blooms, left an indelible impression on my young mind, painting my memory with its myriad hues and fragrances.

Years later, a serendipitous business trip brought me back to Paris, and with a heart full of nostalgia, I found my way to Bagatelle Park once again. It remains a place suspended in time, an 18th-century tableau of natural beauty and architectural wonder. The park, with its resplendent rose garden, is a living canvas of color and scent. The Chinese-style pagoda adds an air of mystique, while the gentle murmur of waterfalls and the iridescent dance of peacocks create a symphony of nature's artistry.

It was in this dreamscape that I found inspiration anew. These works on paper are born from the essence of Bagatelle's rose garden, a tribute to its timeless beauty and the way it continues to whisper to my soul. Each stroke, each blend of color is an homage to that wondrous garden, capturing not just its visual splendor but the emotion and tranquility it embodies. This collection is my artistic dialogue with the garden's enduring charm, a visual sonnet to the roses that once captivated a child and continue to inspire the artist in me.